Perceptions of agroecological farmers on green manure use in Southeast Minas Gerais, Brazil

espanolEl uso del abono verde es fundamental en sistemas agroecologicos para aumentar la materia organica, mejorar la estructura del suelo, una mayor disponibilidad de nutrientes y la proteccion contra la erosion del suelo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la percepcion de productores agroecologicos del sureste de Minas Gerais sobre el uso del abono verde, para identificar los criterios que guian su seleccion, manejo y las limitaciones de su utilizacion. Se entrevisto a 15 agricultores que usan estas practicas para caracterizarlos y describir el manejo que hacen del sistema. La accion conjunta de agricultores e investigadores/extensionistas contribuye a la introduccion y manejo del abono verde en los sistemas productivos. Los cultivos intercalados con abono verde y su deshierbe al inicio de la floracion son la practica mas comun. El aumento del costo de mano de obra y la dificultad en el manejo de algunas especies utilizadas en el abono verde fueron los principales factores que limitaron la adopcion de esta practica. EnglishThe practice of green manuring is fundamental in agroecological agriculture systems for improved soil quality, nutrient cycling, organic matter input, and protection against soil erosion. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the perceptions of agroecological farmers in Southeastern Minas Gerais regarding the use of green manuring, to enable identification of the criteria guiding its selection, handling, and the limitations of its use. Fifteen agroecological farmers from the area were interviewed, in order to characterize farmers, farms, and green manure usage and management characteristics within their farms. The joint action of farmers and researchers/extensionists contribute to the introduction of green manuring practices in properties. Intercropping with the main crop system is the most common practice, along with weeding and cropping at flowering onset. Labor costs and difficulty in handling some species used in green manure were the main factors identified that limited the adoption and maintenance of this practice.